Christmas

Nutcracker Decorating Party 2024

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So typically I host a yearly gingerbread decorating party just before Christmas. But this year I discovered the fun in decorating my own custom nutcrackers so I thought it might be fund to extend that into our party this year. Something where everyone could decorate, party but also have a keepsake that doesn’t have to be thrown away in a few days 🙂 Well, everyone brought their A game and they were so creative with how they adorned their mini nutcrackers! The usual decorating crew gathered: Kohli’s, Gundara’s and Nani joined us this year! read more

Christmas 2023

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Christmas this year was lovely. As I was starting to pull out all my holiday decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving we realized the lights were no longer working. Jatin and Nick went out to run some errands and surprised me with a fully built snow flocked slim tree that fits perfectly next to the fireplace in the family room!

We hosted and attended a few Holiday themed hangouts including our yearly neighborhood Christmas party (Donna & Manny hosted this year), Gingerbread decorating with Geeta & Devi & Usha Didi and this year I decided to host the Band Mama’s over the first week of Holiday break. We also got a visit from Jannavi Masi and Sheila Masi and Nick attended the boy’s annual holiday dinner party at the club with Bob & old school friends. read more

Christmas 2022

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This was our first year without having Nana and Nani with us on Xmas day. Neera borrowed them this year 🙂 We went lower key on the decorations, and having just recovered from Covid we stayed home and enjoyed time with each other. In typical Gundara tradition we opened gifts Christmas Eve and had a lovely breakfast the next morning. It was warm so didn’t quite feel like the holidays. Mommy and daddy did join us once they were back in town and then all was right 🙂 Merry Christmas!

Christmas Parties 2022

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We had a few shindigs to celebrate the season this year. The first one was Nicks company party hosted at a Mexican restaurant in Filmore. There were margaritas, speeches and karaoke!!

Next we hosted our annual Celtic court neighborhood potluck holiday dinner. This year we felt safe enough to host indoors rather than be in the freezing cold! Trader Joe’s eggnog was served, tax guy contacts were exchanged, home renovations were discussed, homemade teriyaki sauce was gifted, secret brittle was packaged, video games were played and all in all a merry time was had! read more

December 2022

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Well we’re officially all feeling better post Covid and looking forward to ringing in the end of the year with lots of celebrations and quality time together. December kind of snuck up on us so quickly but we made the most of it. Nick and I have really been enjoying Gus’s BBQ or Cheesecake Factory for Saturday brunches with Saturday evenings being dedicated to the kiddos and all lot of Knight Rider marathons in front of the fireplace.

Aanika loves tea and coffee and often tries to make it herself. Jatin is a good sport and allows me to give him a facial every few months. Aanika got to ride Gus her horse a few times before the holiday’s. Aanika and I spent $85 dollars to park in a dirt lot on the Pierce campus and cried for 2 minutes while looking at animatronic dinosaurs 🦕!! Lol 😂 read more

December 2021

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December has been a great month. The kids are off for 3 weeks to ring in the holiday season and new year. We hosted our first neighborhood block party and have been enjoying our home so much during these past few very cold and rainy weeks by baking cookies and cozying up by the fire while watching breaking bad, Knight Rider and holiday movies.

Looks like our block party will become an annual celebration. Everyone brought some food. We supplied the entertainment arcade games, music and the basketball court. I made cupcakes!
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Christmas 2020

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We had a quiet but festive Christmas this year. We started our morning by playing with some very special cars and watching holiday movies starting at 6am … yup 6 (thanks Aanika 🙂 Then we had a socially distant hangout with Nana and Nani.

In the early afternoon we decorated mini gingerbread houses as a family. (First time for Nick) I have a feeling he enjoyed it and may join the kids and I in future years to come! Aanika decorated with icing and ate all the candy.

After lunch the kids and I finished home alone 2 upstairs while nick got a small siesta downstairs. Around 5 we changed into our Christmas Eve outfits and in Gundara tradition; had a family photo session followed by gift giving. We ordered Indian food and hung out by the fire place before falling asleep on the couch… It’s 2020 after all.

Merry Christmas to all families tonight. It was quiet but perfect. At home, with our favorite people. ❤️

December 2020

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Well the kids are officially on 3 weeks of winter break and nick and I are taking some time off as well. The weather has been beautiful so we’re exploring the local hiking trails more and as always playing games and eating delicious food and watching movies.

Mommy took a spin in the Ferrari with Nick and posed for some cute pictures! Maybe next time she’ll drive it too!

Aanika and I have been coloring in our festive room and she’s been enjoying watching tv and relaxing a bit more with the whole family which is a nice change.

Scrabble is officially our favorite game right now even though Jatin is getting a bit tired of it. We’ve also introduced chess into the mix after being reinspired by the Queens Gambit.

Aanika has been enjoying washing the car with Nick! Of course anything with water is always fun!

And we’re getting ready for a quiet but festive Christmas! Driving to see holiday lights, wearing festive ugly Christmas sweaters, watching the Mandalorian and lighting the fire. Love this family.

Christmas 2019

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We had a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Started with a family pajama party, Chi’s Chinese for dinner followed by opening family gifts by the fire. Aanika has thoroughly enjoyed driving through candy cane lane and looking for Santa. She also said that she wanted Santa to bring her a new doll for her this year and that is exactly what he did 🙂

Christmas Eve:

Christmas Morning Breakfast was hosted at our place. Mommy and Daddy as well as Sammy and Nisha joined us! I rocked a very festive jumpsuit that I couldn’t resist at Target!

I also had time to finish up the restoration on Daddy’s art piece for all the family names.

Aanika has been loving spending time with her doggies this break. A few snapshots of my favorite moments below.

We absolutely enjoyed and loved every moment. Decorated the whole house early November and cleaned up the place just before New Year’s Eve. Staycations are underrated. Love. Light. Peace.

Gingerbread House Party 2019

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Jatin and I had Devi, Shriya and Geeta Didi over for a gingerbread decorating party today! Mimosas, pastries and lots of candies, homemade royal icing all set to the classic holiday tunes with festive clothing made for a very fun morning! Not to mention Geeta Didi’s singing and the girls amazing talents which I’m sure they have learned from the Great British Baking Show! Aanika and her dad also went for their weekly drive in the Porsche to go see horsies!